Method And Apparatus For Commissioning And Balancing A Wet Central Heating System

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for commissioning and balancing a central heating system of the type having a boiler ( 7 ) for heating water and a pump ( 1 ) for pumping the water through a plurality of radiators ( 21 ) interconnected by pipes ( 22 ). The apparatus comprises a plurality of pairs of temperature probes ( 9, 10 ) with a first probe ( 19 ) of each pair mountable on a flow pipe ( 24 ) and a second probe ( 10 ) of each pair mountable on the return pipe ( 25 ) of a plurality of radiators ( 21 ). A control unit is provided for receiving and outputting temperature information from the temperature probes ( 9, 10 ). Means ( 31 ) is provided for transmitting the temperature information recorded by each probe ( 9, 10 ) to the control unit to allow an operator to monitor the temperature drop across each pair of temperature probes ( 9, 10 ).

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for commissioning and balancing a wet central heating system and in particular to a method and apparatus to reduce the amount of labour currently involved with commissioning and balancing wet central heating systems.

Traditionally, a plumber and an assistant install a wet central heating system including fuel burner and pump, domestic hot water cylinder, radiators and pipe work over the course of a day, depending on the size of the property. The fundamental principle behind the balancing/commissioning of the central heating system is to obtain an 11° C. drop between flow and return pipe work of the system, the temperature drop being a differential setting. A perfectly balanced system will have an 11° C. temperature differential between flow and return pipe work and an equal temperature through all radiators. When the plumber and his assistant have completely installed the central heating system, one of them starts the system from cold ensuring that the system is completely flushed and clear of air. All of the lockshield valves (L.S.V's.) are fully opened and all of the sensor heads of the thermostatic radiator valves (T.R.V's.) are removed. The room thermostats and DHW cylinder thermostat are set to maximum and the plumber switches the heating system on with the boiler thermostat set just below maximum and with the pump set at speed number two.

The plumber must then establish the order in which the radiators are served which is done by noting the order in which they heat up. The system is allowed to stabilise and at the closest point to the boiler, the plumber measures the flow and return temperatures with the aim of achieving a drop of 11° C. If the temperature drop exceeds 11° C., then the pump setting is too low and if the temperature drop is less than 11° C. then the pump setting is too high. The plumber adjusts the pump speed until a flow and return temperature differential of 11° C. is achieved. The radiator which is furtherest away from the pump with the most bends, tees, known as the index radiator, is identified and the valves on this radiator are left fully open.

The plumber or his assistant returns to the first radiator on the circuit and initially closes the L.S.V. and starting from the closed position, opens the L.S.V a ¼ turn. The plumber allows the system to stabilise and checks the flow and return pipes of the radiator for a temperature differential of eleven degrees. When this is successfully achieved, the plumber moves on to the next radiator right through the system until they reach the index radiator. It is this part of the commissioning process that requires considerable time and patience because the L.S.V's. often require a number of turns to achieve the required 11° C. drop. Furthermore, as adjustments are made, previously adjusted radiators need to be rechecked for possible temperature fluctuations caused by these subsequent adjustments.

The commissioning and/or balancing process outlined above is an onerous task at the end of an already long days work for the plumber and his assistant especially considering that the workers also need to pack up the tools and tidy up the work area before leaving the site. The reality of the situation is that in many installations the commissioning process is not carried out at all or if the process is attempted, it is not carried out properly. This can have very negative consequences on the efficiency of the central heating system which is now a considerable issue in view of the current pressure on all Governments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve energy efficiency before preset deadlines.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the labour intensive nature of commissioning and/or balancing a wet central heating system so that all installed systems are properly commissioned or balanced to run at optimum efficiency.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for commissioning and balancing a central heating system of the type having a boiler for heating water and a pump for pumping the water through a plurality of radiators interconnected by pipes, the apparatus comprising a plurality of pairs of temperature probes with a first probe of each pair mountable on a flow and a second probe of each pair mountable on the return of a plurality of radiators, a control unit for receiving and outputting temperature information from the temperature probes and means for transmitting the temperature information recorded by each probe to the control unit to allow an operator to monitor the temperature drop across each pair of temperature probes.

Ideally, the temperature probes are removably mountable on the radiators.

Preferably, the control unit has a visual display unit. Advantageously, the visual display unit displays the temperature differential across each pair of temperature probes mounted on each radiator.

Preferably, the control unit is a portable computer.

Ideally, the apparatus further has a means for adjusting each lock shield valve.

Preferably, the means for adjusting each lock shield valve comprises a plurality of system nodes containing motorised units, one system node being mountable on the lock shield valve of each radiator.

Ideally, the system nodes are removably mountable on the lock shield valves.

Preferably, the system nodes are operable remotely by the control unit.

In a first embodiment, the means for transmitting the temperature information recorded by each probe to the control unit preferably comprises a plurality of system nodes, each system node being a power supply unit being electrically coupled to a pair of temperature probes and having a motorised drive coupling to a particular radiator.

In the first embodiment, the means for transmitting the temperature information recorded by each probe to the control unit further desirably comprises the system node and the control unit having means for wirelessly communicating with each other.

In the first embodiment, each system node has a power supply unit which beneficially is pluggable into the mains electricity supply of the building and delivers an electrical supply to the system node.

In the first embodiment, each system node preferably provides power for an electric motor.

In the first embodiment, each system node desirably provides a means of connection to the temperature probes.

In the first embodiment, each system node preferably has means for receiving and storing temperature information from the pair of probes.

In the first embodiment, each system node beneficially has a microcontroller.

In the first embodiment, the control unit preferably has a signal generator and a control unit antenna and each system node has a transceiver and antenna for wirelessly transmitting temperature information recorded by each temperature probe to the control unit.

In the first embodiment, the control unit ideally has a control program executable thereon for receiving temperature information from each system node and in response to this information generating and transmitting signals regarding LSV position to each system node.

Ideally, the control program is based on an algorithm which takes in temperature values from system nodes coupled to a number of radiators in a system and generates values corresponding to the degree of rotation required to be applied to one or more L.S.V's.

Preferably, the control program transmits these values to the microcontroller of the system node which applies them via the motorised units to the L.S.V's. to obtain the optimum 11° C. temperature differential on the flow and return pipework of the central heating system.

In the first embodiment, low power radio frequency techniques are ideally used for communicating between the control unit and the system nodes.

In a second embodiment, the means for transmitting the temperature information recorded by each temperature probe to the control unit preferably comprises the temperature probes and the control unit having means for wirelessly communicating with each other.

In the second embodiment, the system nodes and the control unit preferably have means for wirelessly communicating with each other.

In the second embodiment, the system nodes preferably have their own power supply.

In the second embodiment, the system nodes power supply is ideally a battery.

In the second embodiment, the control unit preferably has a signal generator and a control unit antenna and the temperature probe has a temperature probe antenna coupled to a temperature sensor for wirelessly transmitting temperature information recorded by each probe to the control unit.

In the second embodiment, the control unit beneficially has a control program thereon and being executable for receiving information from the probes and in response to this information generating and transmitting signals to the system nodes.

In the second embodiment, the control program is ideally based on an algorithm which takes in temperature values from a number of radiators in a system and generates values corresponding to the degree of rotation required to be applied to one or more L.S.V's. via the system nodes to obtain the optimum 11 C temperature differential.

In the second embodiment, the control program desirably transmits these values to the system nodes for their motorised units to rotate the L.S.V's. to obtain the optimum 11° C. temperature differential on the flow and return pipework of the central heating system.

In the second embodiment, low power radio frequency techniques ideally are used for communicating between the control unit and the motorised units.

In the second embodiment, low power radio frequency techniques desirably are used for communicating between the temperature probes and the control unit.

In the second embodiment, the temperature probes beneficially comprise RFID'S (Radio Frequency Identification Devices) integrated with temperature sensors. These temperature probes mountable on the flow and return of radiators are capable of receiving radio frequency signals from the control unit, measuring temperatures and transmitting measured temperature and probe id information back to the control unit using passive power supplied by the RF energy transmission.

A method of commissioning and/or balancing a wet central heating system comprising the steps of mounting temperature probes to the flow and return of a plurality of radiators on the central heating system and collating all of the temperature readings from the probes on a control unit which is capable of displaying the readings to an operator. This allows the operator to easily see the impact adjusting a lock shield valve of one radiator has on the temperature differential of every other radiator being monitored in the system and removes the need for continuously returning to other radiators in the system to check their temperatures after each lock shield valve adjustment.

The method further comprising the step of mounting rotation means on the lock shield valves, the rotation means being remotely operable by the control unit.

The method further comprising the step of remotely controlling the rotation of the rotation means by the control unit in response to temperature values recorded from the temperature probes.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only one embodiment of apparatus for performing a method of commissioning and balancing a wet central heating system in accordance with the invention. In the drawings:—

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a prior art central heating system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of part of an apparatus for commissioning and balancing a wet central heating system; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the circuit of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1 an apparatus for commissioning and/or balancing a central heating system of the type 1 having a boiler 7 for heating water and a pump 1 for pumping the water through a plurality of radiators 21 interconnected by pipes 22. In FIG. 2, each radiator 21 has a thermostatic radiator valve TRV 2 and a lock shield valve LSV 3. Each radiator 21 also has a pair of temperature probes 9, 10 with a first probe 9 of each pair being mounted on a flow pipe 24 and a second probe 10 of each pair being mounted on the return pipe 25 of the radiator 21. A control unit (FIG. 3) for receiving and outputting temperature information from the temperature probes 9, 10 is provided and an arrangement indicated generally by the reference numeral 31 for transmitting via connections 35 the temperature information recorded by each probe 9, 10 to the control unit is shown to allow an operator to monitor the temperature drop across each pair of temperature probes 9, 10. The temperature probes 9, 10 are removably mounted on the radiator 21.

The control unit is typically a portable PC with an integrated visual display unit which displays the temperature differential across each pair of temperature probes 9, 10 mounted on each radiator 21.

The apparatus also has a system node indicated generally by the reference numeral 8 for adjusting the lock shield valve 3. The system node 8 for adjusting the lock shield valve 3 comprises a motorised unit 32 having a geared motor 33 and a valve coupling adapter 34 for engaging the lock shield valve head. The system node 8 is removably mounted on the lock shield valve 3 and is operable remotely by the control unit. The system node contains the RF interface, microcontroller and motor interface electronics.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the arrangement 31 for transmitting the temperature information recorded by each probe 9, 10 to the control unit comprises a power supply unit 11 feeding a system node 8 being electrically coupled to the pair of temperature probes 9, 10 and containing the motorised unit 32. The arrangement 31 for transmitting the temperature information recorded by each probe 9, 10 to the control unit further comprises the system node 8 having an antenna 41 and the control unit having an antenna with both antenna having associated signal generating and processing circuitry for wirelessly communicating with each other. The power supply unit 11 can be plugged into the mains electricity supply of the building and each power supply unit 11 provides power to a system node 8 containing an electric motor 32 coupled to a gearbox unit 33. Each system node 8 also provides for connection to the temperature probes 9, 10 and has a microcontroller with memory for receiving and storing temperature information from the pair of temperature probes 9, 10.

The control unit has a signal generator and a control unit antenna and each system node contains an antenna 41 for wirelessly transmitting temperature information recorded by each temperature probe 9, 10 to the control unit. The control unit has a control program executable via the microcontroller interface for receiving temperature information from each system node 8 and in response to this information generating and transmitting signals regarding LSV position to each system node 8. The control program is based on an algorithm which takes in temperature values from system nodes 8 coupled to a number of radiators 21 in a system and generates values corresponding to the degree of rotation required to be applied to one or more L.S.V's 3. The control program transmits these values to the microcontrollers of the system nodes 8 which apply them via the motorised units 32 to the L.S.V's. 3 to obtain the optimum 11° C. temperature differential on the flow and return pipework of the central heating system shown in FIG. 1.

Low power radio frequency techniques are used for communicating between the control unit and the system nodes 8.

The present invention also envisages a second embodiment of apparatus not shown in the drawings having an arrangement for transmitting the temperature information recorded by each temperature probe directly to a control unit. The temperature probes and the control unit have equipment for wirelessly communicating with each other. The motorised units and the control unit also have equipment for wirelessly communicating with each other. The motorised units have their own power supply which can be provided by one or more batteries. The control unit has a signal generator and a control unit antenna and the temperature probe has a temperature probe antenna coupled to a temperature sensor for wirelessly transmitting temperature information recorded by each probe to the control unit. The control unit has a control program executing thereon for receiving information from the temperature probes and in response to this information generating and transmitting signals to the motorised units. The control program is based on an algorithm which takes in temperature values from a number of probes mounted on radiators in a heating system and generates values corresponding to the degree of rotation required to be applied to one or more L.S.V's. via the motorised units to obtain the optimum 11° C. temperature differential.

The control program transmits these values to the system nodes which rotate the L.S.V's. to obtain the optimum 11° C. temperature differential on the flow and return pipework of the central heating system. Low power radio frequency techniques are used for communicating between the control unit and the motorised units and for communicating between the temperature probes and the control unit. The temperature probes comprise RFID patches integrated with a temperature sensor. These temperature probes mountable on the flow and return of radiators are capable of receiving power via radio frequency signals from the control unit, measuring temperatures and transmitting measured temperature and probe id information back to the control unit.

In use and referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, when the plumber and an assistant have installed a wet central heating system as described at page 1 and 2 of the present specification and as shown in FIG. 1, one of them installs temperature probes 9 and 10 on the flow pipe 24 and return pipe 25 respectively of each radiator 21 which is to be monitored which is normally all of the radiators 21 on the system. The person initially mounting the pairs of probes 9, 10 on the radiators can also mount a motorised unit 32 on each lock shield valve 3 and connect them electrically to the power supply units 11. When the person powers up the control unit they are presented with an option to manually input adjustments to the LSV's 3 or to allow the control unit to adjust the LSV's 3 based on a control program executing on the control unit. If the person chooses to allow the control program to control the motorised units 32, the control program wirelessly signals the system nodes 8 to initiate the temperature probes 9, 10 to measure the temperature of the flow and return pipes 24, 25 of the radiators. The system nodes 8 record and wirelessly signal the temperature information to the control unit. The control unit has a control program for receiving temperature information from each system node 8 and in response to this information generating and transmitting signals regarding LSV position to each system node 8. The control program is based on an algorithm which takes in temperature values from system nodes 8 coupled to a number of radiators 21 in a system and generates values corresponding to the degree of rotation required to be applied to one or more L.S.V's 3. The control program transmits these values to the microcontrollers of the system nodes 8 which apply them via the motorised units 32 to the L.S.V's. 3 to obtain the optimum 11° C. temperature differential on the flow and return pipework of the central heating system.

The apparatus and method not only is for use in commissioning a new wet central heating system but also for balancing a wet central heating system already commissioned but incorrectly balanced at that commissioning procedure.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention outlined above, for example new low temperature heating systems both underfloor and radiator based. These systems are being designed whereby the temperature differential required may change from the 11° standard to 15° C., 20° C. or even greater. The programme executed on the control unit can therefore be configured to set underfloor circuits or radiator emitters to a single value or to adjust multiple zone (or circuit) groups to achieve different settings. 

1-36. (canceled)
 37. An apparatus for commissioning and balancing a central heating system of the type having a boiler for heating water and a pump for pumping the water through a plurality of radiators interconnected by pipes, each radiator having a lock shield valve, the apparatus comprising a plurality of pairs of temperature probes with a first probe of each pair mountable on a flow and a second probe of each pair mountable on a return of a respective one of said plurality of radiators, a control unit for receiving and outputting temperature information from the temperature probes, means for transmitting the temperature information recorded by each probe to the control unit to allow an operator to monitor the temperature drop across each pair of temperature probes and means for adjusting each lock shield valve comprising a plurality of system nodes containing motorised units, one system node being mountable on the lock shield valve of each radiator, the system nodes being operable remotely by the control unit.
 38. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the temperature probes are removably mountable on the radiators.
 39. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the control unit has a visual display unit for displaying the temperature differential across each pair of temperature probes mounted on each radiator.
 40. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the control unit comprises a portable computer.
 41. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the system nodes are removably mountable on the lock shield valves.
 42. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein each system node includes a power supply unit being electrically coupled to the respective pair of temperature probes and the respective motorised unit drive of the system node.
 43. An apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein the power supply unit of each system node is pluggable into a mains electricity supply and delivers an electrical supply to the system node.
 44. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein each system node has means for receiving and storing temperature information from the respective pair of probes.
 45. An apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein each system node has a microcontroller.
 46. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the control unit has a signal generator and a control unit antenna and each system node has a transceiver and antenna for wirelessly transmitting temperature information recorded by each temperature probe to the control unit.
 47. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the control unit has a control program executable thereon for receiving temperature information from each system node and in response to this information generating and transmitting signals regarding lock shield valve position to each system node.
 48. An apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the control program is based on an algorithm which takes in temperature values from system nodes coupled to a number of radiators in a system and generates values corresponding to the degree of rotation required to be applied to one or more lock shield valves.
 49. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the control program transmits these values to the microcontroller of the system nodes which applies them via the motorised units to the lock shield valves to obtain an optimum 11° C. temperature differential on the flow and return pipework of the central heating system.
 50. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the system nodes and the control unit have means for wirelessly communicating with each other.
 51. An apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein each system node power supply unit comprises battery means.
 52. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the temperature probes comprise radio frequency identification devices integrated with temperature sensors.
 53. A method of commissioning and balancing a wet central heating system comprising the steps of mounting temperature probes to the flow and return of a plurality of radiators of the central heating system and collating all of the temperature readings from the probes on a control unit which is capable of displaying the readings to an operator and mounting a rotation means on a lock shield valve of each radiator, the rotation means being remotely operable by the control unit.
 54. A method as claimed in claim 53, further comprising the step of remotely controlling the rotation of the rotation means by the control unit in response to temperature values recorded from the temperature probes. 